The man was said to be in a "serious but stable condition" in hospital in Brighton on Sunday after a six-hour standoff at a house in nearby Seaford over Saturday night ended in shooting. Two officers were slightly injured but not by gunshot wounds, according to Sussex police.

The force said the incident was being treated as attempted murder of police officers before the investigation was handed over to the police watchdog.

Sussex police said in a statement: "Armed police officers were called to North Way, Seaford, at 7.10pm on Saturday following a report of a domestic incident involving firearms. A woman left the house safely a short time later. Police negotiators engaged with the man for several hours, but shortly before 1am on Sunday morning, he left the house and shots were exchanged with armed officers from Surrey and Sussex tactical firearms unit."

The man appeared to be wounded, but went back into the house, the statement said. "Officers then reacted as swiftly and as safely as possible to enter the house and administer first aid. He was taken to the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton with what are described as life-threatening injuries". A shotgun was recovered.

Nearby residents were advised to stay indoors during the confrontation. A local school was used as a rendezvous for emergency services and to provide shelter to residents unable to reach their houses.

Chief Inspector Jayne Dando said there was "little danger to the neighbouring community and this was kept to the absolute minimum."

After the IPCC took over the investigation, a further Sussex police statement said: "Matters of this nature are always referred to the IPCC and are not indicative of any wrongdoing on the part of Sussex police, who welcome the outside scrutiny and will work fully to support the investigation."